U.S. patent number 7,609,408 [Application Number 11/396,607] was granted by the patent office on 2009-10-27 for image reading apparatus, image formation apparatus, image processing system, memory area sharing method for image reading apparatus, and memory area sharing method for image processing system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Hayashi, Hiromi Kita, Tadaomi Suzuki.
United States Patent |
7,609,408 |
Hayashi , et al. |
October 27, 2009 |
Image reading apparatus, image formation apparatus, image
processing system, memory area sharing method for image reading
apparatus, and memory area sharing method for image processing
system
Abstract
An image processing system in which an image reading apparatus
and an image formation apparatus are connected to each other
through a communication interface, in which the image reading
apparatus includes: a reading section that reads an original and
generates image data, a memory that stores the image data, and a
mount-processing permission section that, when the image reading
apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus through the
communication interface, permits the image formation apparatus to
carry out a mount-processing of the memory; the image formation
apparatus includes: a mount-processing section that, when the image
formation apparatus is connected to the image reading apparatus
through the communication interface and permitted to carry out the
mount-processing of the memory, carries out the mount-processing of
the memory; and the image formation apparatus stores image data
received from another communication interface into the memory for
which the mount-processing has been carried out.
Inventors: |
Hayashi; Hiroshi (Kanagawa,
JP), Suzuki; Tadaomi (Kanagawa, JP), Kita;
Hiromi (Kanagawa, JP) |
Assignee: |
Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
37598007 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/396,607 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070008576 A1 |
Jan 11, 2007 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 6, 2005 [JP] |
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2005-197014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.16;
358/474; 358/444; 358/1.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/00278 (20130101); H04N 2201/0013 (20130101); H04N
2201/0015 (20130101); H04N 2201/0074 (20130101); H04N
2201/001 (20130101); H04N 2201/0081 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;358/444,448,474,1.15,1.16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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A-11-254764 |
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Sep 1999 |
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JP |
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A-2004-056220 |
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Feb 2004 |
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JP |
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A 2005-63422 |
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Mar 2005 |
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JP |
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10-2004-0010198 |
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Jan 2004 |
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KR |
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Primary Examiner: Williams; Kimberly A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oliff & Berridge, PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image processing system in which an image reading apparatus
and an image formation apparatus are connected to each other
through a communication interface, wherein the image reading
apparatus comprises: a reading section that reads an original and
generates image data, a memory that stores the image data read by
the reading section, and a mount-processing permission section
that, when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, permits
the image formation apparatus to mount the memory for use as a
memory on the image formation apparatus by carrying out a
mount-processing of the memory; the image formation apparatus
comprises: a mount-processing section that, when the image
formation apparatus is connected to the image reading apparatus
through the communication interface and permitted by the image
reading apparatus to carry out the mount-processing of the memory,
carries out the mount-processing of the memory; and the image
formation apparatus stores image data received from another
communication interface into the memory for which the
mount-processing has been carried out by the mount-processing
section.
2. An image reading apparatus that is connected to an image
formation apparatus through a communication interface, comprising:
a reading section that reads an original and generates image data,
a memory that stores the image data read by the reading section,
and a mount-processing permission section that, when the image
reading apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus
through the communication interface, permits the image formation
apparatus to mount the memory for use as a memory on the image
formation apparatus by carrying out a mount-processing of the
memory.
3. An image formation apparatus that is connected to an image
reading apparatus having a memory through a communication
interface, comprising: a mount-processing section that, when the
image formation apparatus is connected to the image reading
apparatus through the communication interface, is permitted by the
image reading apparatus to mount the memory for use as a memory on
the image formation apparatus by carrying out a mount-processing of
the memory, wherein image data received from another communication
interface is stored in the memory for which the mount-processing
has been carried out by the mount-processing section.
4. A memory area sharing method for an image processing system in
which an image reading apparatus having a memory and an image
formation apparatus are connected through a communication
interface, wherein the image reading apparatus, when connected to
the image formation apparatus through the communication interface,
permits the image formation apparatus to mount the memory for use
as a memory on the image formation apparatus by carrying out a
mount-processing of the memory, included in the image reading
apparatus by a mount-processing permission section; and the image
formation apparatus carries out the mount-processing of the memory
by a mount-processing section, and stores image data received from
another communication interface into the memory for which the
mount-processing has been carried out by the mount-processing
section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an
image formation apparatus, an image processing system, a memory
area sharing method for the image reading apparatus, and a memory
area sharing method for the image processing system, and
particularly to an image reading apparatus, an image formation
apparatus, an image processing system, a memory area sharing method
for the image reading apparatus, and a memory area sharing method
for the image processing system that allow a P2P connecting scanner
printer system to implement an enhanced function processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, multifunction machines having various
capabilities, such as those of a copying machine, a printer, a
facsimile, and the like, have been put on the market. The
multifunction machine prints an image on a printing paper when
functioning as a copying machine or a printer, reads an original
and generates an image when functioning as a scanner, and sends an
image to or receives it from another piece of equipment through a
telephone line when functioning as a facsimile.
With a multifunction machine, various types of information
processing are executed with a variety of programs, such as an
application, a platform, or the like. As the memory destination of
a piece of information pertaining to this information processing,
various types of memories, such as an HD (Hard Disk), a memory
card, and the like, are available, and further, for example, an
image formation apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an
information processing program, and a memory medium that allow even
an HD and a memory card loaded in a PC (Personal Computer) or a
server PC to be utilized are available (for example, referring to
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-63422).
In addition, recently, scanners and printers as a single unit
having an enhanced capabilities have appeared on the market, and
for example, printers that, if additionally equipped with an HD as
an option, is capable of covering the function of electronic
sorting (a function that is used in printing plural copies for
carrying out such an operation as storing the data for a first
copy, and printing second and subsequent copies by reading out the
stored data, or the like), or the like, have been put on the
market.
However, for the user, it is troublesome to additionally install an
HD as an option in the printer, and added expenses are required for
the additional installation as an option.
Further, in recent years, a scanner printer system that connects
the scanner and the printer with an interface that is loosely
coupled for both software and hardware has been proposed, and
assuming that, in order to realize a copy server in that scanner
printer system, not only the scanner but also the printer is
additionally provided with an HD, the scanner and the printer both
would have an HD, which would be disadvantageous from the viewpoint
of cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Then, in the present invention, an HD is provided only for the
scanner in the scanner printer system instead of providing both
scanner and printer with an HD, and the printer is enabled to use
that scanner HD, whereby the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus, an image formation apparatus, an image
processing system, a memory area sharing method for the image
reading apparatus, and a memory area sharing method for the image
processing system that allow enhanced capabilities of a printer,
such as electronic sorting, and the like, to be implemented.
An aspect of the present invention provides an image processing
system in which an image reading apparatus and an image formation
apparatus are connected to each other through a communication
interface, in which the image reading apparatus includes: a reading
section that reads an original and generates image data, a memory
that stores the image data read by the reading section, and a
mount-processing permission section that, when the image reading
apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus through the
communication interface, permits the image formation apparatus to
carry out a mount-processing of the memory; the image formation
apparatus comprises: a mount-processing section that, when the
image formation apparatus is connected to the image reading
apparatus through the communication interface and permitted by the
image reading apparatus to carry out the mount-processing of the
memory, carries out the mount-processing of the memory; and the
image formation apparatus stores image data received from another
communication interface into the memory for which the
mount-processing has been carried out by the mount-processing
section.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus that is connected to an image formation apparatus
through a communication interface, which includes: a reading
section that reads an original and generates image data, a memory
that stores the image data read by the reading section, and a
mount-processing permission section that, when the image reading
apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus through the
communication interface, permits the image formation apparatus to
carry out a mount-processing of the memory.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
formation apparatus that is connected to an image reading apparatus
through a communication interface, which includes: a
mount-processing section that, when the image formation apparatus
is connected to the image reading apparatus through the
communication interface and permitted by the image reading
apparatus to carry out a mount-processing of a memory, carries out
the mount-processing of the memory, in which image data received
from another communication interface is stored in the memory for
which the mount-processing has been carried out by the
mount-processing section.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus that is connected to an image formation apparatus
through a communication interface, which includes: a reading
section that reads an original and generates image data, a memory
that stores the image data read by the reading section, and a
connection processing section that, when the image reading
apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus through the
communication interface, causes the image formation apparatus to
recognize the memory as a removable memory.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus that is connected to an image formation apparatus
through a communication interface, comprising: a reading section
that reads an original and generates image data, and a memory that
stores the image data read by the reading section; and wherein,
when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, the
apparatus causes the image formation apparatus to operate and
process the memory as an added function of the image formation
apparatus.
And another aspect of the present invention provides a memory area
sharing method for an image processing system in which an image
reading apparatus and an image formation apparatus are connected
through a communication interface, in which the image reading
apparatus, when connected to the image formation apparatus through
the communication interface, permits the image formation apparatus
to carry out a mount-processing of a memory included in the image
reading apparatus by a mount-processing permission section; and the
image formation apparatus carries out the mount-processing of the
memory by a mount-processing section, and stores image data
received from another communication interface into the memory for
which the mount-processing has been carried out by the
mount-processing section.
And another aspect of the present invention provides a memory area
sharing method for an image reading apparatus that is connected to
an image formation apparatus through a communication interface, in
which, when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, a
connection processing section causes the image formation apparatus
to recognize a memory included in the image reading apparatus as a
removal memory.
And another aspect of the present invention provides a memory area
sharing method for an image reading apparatus that is connected to
an image formation apparatus through a communication interface, in
which, when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, the image
reading apparatus causes the image formation apparatus to operate
and process a memory included in the image reading apparatus as an
added function of the image formation apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
based on the following figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the system
configuration of a scanner printer system utilizing the image
reading apparatus and the image formation apparatus pertaining to
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing sharing of the HD of the scanner
by the printer;
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of processing
for causing the HD of the scanner to be shared by the printer in
the present system;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing utilization of the HD 8 of the
scanner by the printer;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the system
configuration of the scanner printer system utilizing the image
reading apparatus and the image formation apparatus pertaining to
the present invention;
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams for describing sharing of the HD
of the scanner by the printer; and
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of processing
for causing the HD of the scanner to be shared by the printer in
the present system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinbelow, embodiments of the image reading apparatus, the image
formation apparatus, the image processing system, the memory area
sharing method for the image reading apparatus, and the memory area
sharing method for the image processing system pertaining to the
present invention will be described in detail with reference to the
attached diagrams.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the system
configuration of a scanner printer system 1 utilizing the image
reading apparatus and the image formation apparatus pertaining to
the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner printer system 1 is configured by
connecting between a scanner 2 and a printer 3 through a USB cable
4, or the like, having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard
interface. The interface connecting between the scanner 2 and the
printer 3 need not be limited to the USB standard interface, and
the scanner 2 and the printer 3 may be connected to each other
using a wire circuit, such as an IEEE (the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers) 1394 cable, a LAN (Local Area Network)
cable, an RS-232C cable, or the like, or a wireless circuit, such
as a wireless LAN, an IrdA (Infrared Data Association) radio
communication circuit, or the like.
However, in the present embodiment, the scanner printer system 1 in
which the scanner and the printer are connected through the USB
cable 4 is used as an example for description, and for connection
through a USB cable, the devices to be connected with each other
have to have an established relationship as the host and the slave,
thus the scanner 2 is handled as a piece of host equipment, and the
printer 3 as a piece of slave equipment.
The scanner 2 is the image reading apparatus pertaining to the
present invention, and the printer 3 is the image formation
apparatus pertaining to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 2 is configured to comprise a
communication I/F (Interface) 51, an original reading section 6, a
device controller 7, and an HD 8.
The communication I/F 51 is an interface for carrying out data
communication with the device (i.e., the printer 3) connected
through the USB cable 4.
The original reading section 6 reads an original and carries out
processing for generating image data (hereafter called a scanned
image), being composed of an image sensor, such as a CCD (Charge
Coupled Device), or the like, a carriage on which the image sensor
is loaded, or otherwise a motor for moving the original, and the
like.
The device controller 7 implements the host function of the USB,
and carries out processing for controlling the device (i.e., the
printer 3) that is connected through the USB cable 4. It is made up
by operating the processor with software (i.e., a driver), or
composed of an IC (Integrated Circuit) for device control, and the
like.
The HD 8 is a memory for storing a various types of data.
As shown in FIG 1, the printer 3 is configured to comprise a
communication I/F 52, a printing processing section 9, a connection
processing section 10, and a mount section 11.
The communication I/F 52 is an interface for carrying out data
communication with the device (i.e., scanner 2) connected through
the USB cable 4.
The printing processing section 9 carries out printing processing
of a scanned image, printing data, and the like.
The connection processing section 10 implements the slave function
of the USB, being made up by operating the processor with software
(i.e., a driver), or composed of an IC for the slave function, and
the like.
The mount section 11 recognizes the, HD 8 in the scanner 2
connected, and carries out mount-processing for rendering it
operational. It also carries out unmount-processing for
disconnecting the HD 8.
In the present system, in order to enable the printer 3 to share
the HD 8 of the scanner 2, the scanner 2 permits the printer 3 to
mount the HD 8 of the scanner 2 as shown in FIG. 2 when the
connection between the scanner 2 and the printer 3 is established,
and the printer 3 mounts the HD 8 of the scanner 2, whereby the
printer 3 is made possible to utilize the HD 8 of the scanner
2.
Next, the flow of processing for causing the HD 8 of the scanner 2
to be shared by the printer in the present system will be described
with reference to a sequence chart as shown in FIG. 3.
When the device controller of the scanner detects the connection to
the printer, the device controller of the scanner and the
connection processing section of the printer carry out processing
for establishing the connection of the scanner printer system (at
step S301), and when the connection is established, the device
controller of the scanner notifies the printer of a permission for
mounting the HD (at step S302), and the mount section of the
printer carries out mount-processing of the HD of the scanner (at
step S303).
Thus, the present system is configured such that the printer can
utilize the HD of the scanner, whereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the
printer is made possible to temporarily accumulate the printing
data received from a PC 13, or the like, through a network 12 into
the HD of the scanner, which allows the electronic sorting function
to be implemented.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the system
configuration of the scanner printer system 1 utilizing the image
reading apparatus and the image formation apparatus pertaining to
the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the scanner printer system 1 is configured by
connecting between a scanner 2 and a printer 3 through a USB cable
4, or the like, having a USB standard interface. The interface
connecting between the scanner 2 and the printer 3 need not be
limited to the USB standard interface, and the scanner 2 and the
printer 3 may be connected to each other using a wire circuit, such
as an IEEE 1394 cable, a LAN cable, an RS-232C cable, or the like,
or a wireless circuit, such as a wireless LAN, an IrdA radio
communication circuit, or the like.
However, in the present embodiment, the scanner printer system 1 in
which the scanner and the printer are connected through the USB
cable 4 is used as an example for description, and for connection
through a USB cable, the devices to be connected with each other
have to have an established relationship as the host and the slave,
thus the scanner 2 is handled as a piece of slave equipment, and
the printer 3 as a piece of host equipment.
The scanner 2 is the image reading apparatus pertaining to the
present invention, and the printer 3 is a general-purpose image
formation apparatus having a host function (for example, an image
formation apparatus, or the like, which can be directly operated
for printing from a digital camera, or the like, through a
USB).
As shown in FIG. 5, the scanner 2 is configured to comprise a
communication I/F 51, an original reading section 6, a connection
processing section 10, and an HD 8.
The communication I/F 51 is an interface for carrying out data
communication with the device (i.e., the printer 3) connected
through the USB cable 4.
The original reading section 6 reads an original and carries out
processing for generating image data (hereafter called a scanned
image), being composed of an image sensor, such as a CCD, or the
like, a carriage on which the image sensor is loaded, or otherwise
a motor for moving the original, and the like.
The connection processing section 10 implements the slave function
of the USB, being made up by operating the processor with software
(i.e., a driver), or composed of an IC for the slave function, and
the like.
The HD 8 is a memory for storing various types of data.
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 3 is configured to comprise a
communication I/F 52, a printing processing section 9, a device
controller 7, and a mount section 11.
The communication I/F 52 is an interface for carrying out data
communication with the device (i.e., scanner 2) connected through
the USB cable 4.
The printing processing section 9 carries out printing processing
of a scanned image, printing data, and the like.
The device controller 7 implements the host function of the USB,
and carries out processing for controlling the device that is
connected through the USB cable 4. It is made up by operating the
processor with software (i.e., a driver), or composed of an IC for
device control, and the like.
The mount section 11 recognizes the HD 8 in the scanner 2
connected, and carries out mount-processing for rendering it
operational. It also carries out unmount-processing for
disconnecting the HD 8.
In the present system, in order to enable the printer 3 to share
the HD. 8 of the scanner 2, the scanner 2 enables the printer 3 to
recognize the HD 8 as a removable memory (specifically, which can
be implemented by adopting a USB Mass Storage Class compatible
interface in the scanner 2) as shown in FIG. 6A when the connection
between the scanner 2 and the printer 3 is established, and the
printer 3 mounts the HD 8 of the scanner 2, whereby the printer 3
is made possible to utilize the HD 8 of the scanner 2.
In addition, in order to enable the printer 3 to share the HD 8 of
the scanner 2, the scanner 2 enables the printer 3 to recognize the
scanner 2 and the HD 8 as being connected in parallel, as shown in
FIG. 6B when the connection between the scanner 2 and the printer 3
is established, and the printer 3 mounts the HD 8, recognizing it
as a removable memory, whereby the printer 3 is made possible to
utilize the HD 8 of the scanner 2.
Next, the flow of processing for causing the HD 8 of the scanner 2
to be shared by the printer in the present system will be described
with reference to a sequence chart as shown in FIG. 7.
When the device controller of the printer detects the connection to
the scanner, the device controller of the printer and the
connection processing section of the scanner carry out processing
for establishing the connection of the scanner printer system (at
step S701), and when the connection is established, the mount
section of the printer carries out mount-processing of the HD of
the scanner (at step S702).
Thus, the present system is configured such that the printer can
utilize the HD of the scanner, whereby, as described in the first
embodiment, the printer is made possible to temporarily accumulate
the printing data received from a PC, or the like, through a
network into the HD of the scanner, which allows the electronic
sorting function to be implemented.
As described above, an aspect of the present invention provides an
image processing system in which an image reading apparatus and an
image formation apparatus are connected to each other through a
communication interface, in which the image reading apparatus
includes: a reading section that reads an original and generates
image data, a memory that stores the image data read by the reading
section, and a mount-processing permission section that, when the
image reading apparatus is connected to the image formation
apparatus through the communication interface, permits the image
formation apparatus to carry out a mount-processing of the memory;
the image formation apparatus comprises: a mount-processing section
that, when the image formation apparatus is connected to the image
reading apparatus through the communication interface and permitted
by the image reading apparatus to carry out the mount-processing of
the memory, carries out the mount-processing of the memory; and the
image formation apparatus stores image data received from another
communication interface into the memory for which the
mount-processing has been carried out by the mount-processing
section.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus that is connected to an image formation apparatus
through a communication interface, which includes: a reading
section that reads an original and generates image data, a memory
that stores the image data read by the reading section, and a
mount-processing permission section that, when the image reading
apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus through the
communication interface, permits the image formation apparatus to
carry out a mount-processing of the memory.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
formation apparatus that is connected to an image reading apparatus
through a communication interface, which includes: a
mount-processing section that, when the image formation apparatus
is connected to the image reading apparatus through the
communication interface and permitted by the image reading
apparatus to carry out a mount-processing of a memory, carries out
the mount-processing of the memory, in which image data received
from another communication interface is stored in the memory for
which the mount-processing has been carried out by the
mount-processing section.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus that is connected to an image formation apparatus
through a communication interface, which includes: a reading
section that reads an original and generates image data, a memory
that stores the image data read by the reading section, and a
connection processing section that, when the image reading
apparatus is connected to the image formation apparatus through the
communication interface, causes the image formation apparatus to
recognize the memory as a removable memory.
And another aspect of the present invention provides an image
reading apparatus that is connected to an image formation apparatus
through a communication interface, comprising: a reading section
that reads an original and generates image data, and a memory that
stores the image data read by the reading section; and wherein,
when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, the
apparatus causes the image formation apparatus to operate and
process the memory as an added function of the image formation
apparatus.
And another aspect of the present invention provides a memory area
sharing method for an image processing system in which an image
reading apparatus and an image formation apparatus are connected
through a communication interface, in which the image reading
apparatus, when connected to the image formation apparatus through
the communication interface, permits the image formation apparatus
to carry out a mount-processing of a memory included in the image
reading apparatus by a mount-processing permission section; and the
image formation apparatus carries out the mount-processing of the
memory by a mount-processing section, and stores image data
received from another communication interface into the memory for
which the mount-processing has been carried out by the
mount-processing section.
And another aspect of the present invention provides a memory area
sharing method for an image reading apparatus that is connected to
an image formation apparatus through a communication interface, in
which, when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, a
connection processing section causes the image formation apparatus
to recognize a memory included in the image reading apparatus as a
removal memory.
And another aspect of the present invention provides a memory area
sharing method for an image reading apparatus that is connected to
an image formation apparatus through a communication interface, in
which, when the image reading apparatus is connected to the image
formation apparatus through the communication interface, the image
reading apparatus causes the image formation apparatus to operate
and process a memory included in the image reading apparatus as an
added function of the image formation apparatus.
According to the present invention, the scanner printer system is
configured such that the printer can utilize the HD of the scanner,
whereby an effect that the printer can implement an enhanced
function, such as the electronic sorting, or the like, without the
need for additionally installing an HD is obtained.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present
invention has been provided for the purpose of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many
modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners
skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical applications, thereby enabling other skilled in the art
to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2005-197014 filed on Jul. 6, 2005 including specification, claims,
drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
* * * * *